Summer Projects

It’s safe to say I have a bit of a Pinterest problem. I love the site and its possibilities: more cute things than you could possible ever craft, make or do in a lifetime. It’s a lot of fun, but from time to time I get a little Pinterest guilt because I’m pinning a lot more than I’m making. (Right now, for instance, I have 652 pins, and there’s probably about 10 things on my I Made This board that came from pins.)

I used to try to do something from Pinterest every week (on Fridays, in fact, I called it “Found it On Pinterest” Day), but it’s been a long time since I’ve done so. It’s not for lack of inspiration, mostly it’s just a lack of time (I haven’t been creating much at all, my stuff or other people’s). And I really do need to get back to that.

I saw someone online (yes, I saw it on Pinterest) was doing a crafting challenge between now and Labor Day to make as many things from her pins as possible. I think that’s a fine idea. But this is also the summer I have to write a book, and do a ton of knitting for said book, so I’m not exactly up for any more challenges.

But then I see that pin for the Fall into Fall Dress from Shwin & Shwin and remember that the Bit put her fancy tutu-style skirt under a dress the other day so she would love something like this. I see the Ruffle Sleeve Top from Sparkle Power and think, “it’s a top, it can’t be that hard” (even though there are ruffles, and I have a distinct problem with ruffles).

Because I’d like to make something for me, too, I look at things like Pretty Ditty’s Four Square Top (again, it’s a top, how hard can that be?) or Angry Chicken’s Five Minute Serger Skirt (which would take me way longer than five minutes, since my serger is still in the box).

The point, I think, is not to try to fill up all the space with activities and all the time with making things. This is a time of year for (at least trying to) slow down and enjoy doing nothing for a while.

I spent a lot of time this weekend watching the Bit play in her sandbox and dunk her feet in the wading pool (she refuses to get the rest of her body wet, even when wearing a bathing suit). That was nicer than sewing a shirt any day.

What are your plans for the summer? Full of crafting, full of enjoying, or both? I hope there’s time for some of all of it!